Enhanced liquid container

ABSTRACT

A beverage container includes a lid assembly having a chamber for storing and subsequently releasing a component of a mixture into a liquid stored within the container. The lid assembly includes an upper housing attached to a lower housing. The upper housing includes a button movable between a locked position and a released position. The upper housing also includes a spout that provides access to the contents of the container. A disk snaps into a snap groove within the lower housing and includes the chamber for storing one component of the mixture separate from liquid within the container. The chamber is initially placed in a storage position where contents of the chamber are isolated from the container. Aligning the chamber with an inlet in the lower housing to the container provides for the component mixture to fall freely into the liquid within the container.

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation application of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/054,249 which was filed on Feb. 9, 2005.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention generally relates to a beverage container. More particularly this invention relates to a beverage container including features for storing separate component parts of a mixture prior to consumption.

Typically, soft drinks, sports drinks, and other drinks are stored within a sealed beverage container prior to purchase. The duration between the time that the beverage is placed within the container and actually consumed can be significant. Therefore, many beverages include a sell-by date to insure that the beverage is sold within a desired time to ensure a desired level of freshness.

Commonly beverages are a mixture of several ingredients dissolved within a liquid such as water. The mixture of ingredients is typically performed at a bottling or other production facility just prior to being placed within a sealed beverage container. A sport drink typically includes ingredients that are intended to replace nutrients lost during robust physical activity. In some instances, those ingredients can begin to lose potency once mixed. Disadvantageously, there can be a significant period between the time a beverage mixed and bottled and consumption.

Accordingly, it is desirable to develop and design a beverage container that can store a beverage for long periods, while still providing the desired just mixed freshness upon consumption.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention is a beverage container including a lid assembly having a chamber for storing and subsequently releasing a component of a mixture into a liquid stored within the container.

The example beverage container includes a lid assembly attached to a container containing a liquid. The lid assembly includes an upper housing attached to a lower housing. The upper housing includes a button movable between a locked position and a released position. The upper housing also includes a spout that provides access to the contents of the container.

A disk snaps into a snap groove within the lower housing and includes the chamber for storing one component of the mixture separate from liquid within the container. The chamber is initially placed in a storage position that is not aligned with the inlet. In this position, the contents of the chamber are isolated from the container. When it is desired to mix the component stored within the chamber with the liquid within the container, the button is depressed to permit rotation of the upper housing and the disk. Rotation of the upper housing aligns the chamber with an inlet in the lower housing to the container. The contents of the chamber are then free to fall into and mix with the contents of the container.

Accordingly, the beverage container of this invention provides for the separation of components such that a beverage may be stored for long periods, while still providing the desired just mixed freshness upon consumption.

These and other features of the present invention can be best understood from the following specification and drawings, the following of which is a brief description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side view of an example beverage container according to this invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the example beverage container.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a lower housing according to this invention.

FIG. 4A is a perspective view of an example disk having a chamber according to this invention.

FIG. 4B is a perspective view of an example disk having multiple chambers according to this invention.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a bottom surface of the disk.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a bottom portion of an example spout according to this invention.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an example button according to this invention.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of an example lid assembly according to this invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, an example beverage container 10 is shown that provides for storing of at least two mixable substances separately prior to mixing by a consumer of a beverage. The beverage container 10 includes a container 12 and a lid assembly 14 for holding and storing a liquid within the container 12. The lid assembly 14 includes a lower housing 18 attachable to the container 12 and an upper housing 20 attached to the lower housing 18. The upper housing 20 includes a button 21 that is movable between a locked position and a released position. In the released position, the upper housing 20 is rotatable relative to the lower housing 18. The upper housing 20 includes a spout 15 that provides access to the contents of the container 12. The lid assembly 14 stores and subsequently releases into the container 12 a component part for mixing with liquid stored within the container.

The lid assembly 14 includes a disk 22 having a chamber 16. The chamber 16 provides for the storage of one of the mixable substances. The disk 22 snaps into a snap groove 24 within the lower housing 18 and is rotatable relative to the lower housing 18. The upper housing 20 includes an outlet tube 64 that assembles into the lower housing 18 by way of a snap fit through an outlet opening 28. The snap fit of the outlet tube 64 provides for rotation of the upper housing 20 relative to the lower housing 18. The button 21 assembles into the upper housing 20 and is held in the locked position by a biasing arm 60.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the lower housing 18 includes an annular guide groove 32. The guide groove 32 includes a locking grove 34 that juts radially outward normal to the guide groove 32. The disk 22 includes a guide arm 42 that guides within the guide groove 32. The disk 22 also includes a locking tab 44 that extends from a peripheral edge 46 of the disk 22. The locking tab 44 rotates with the disk 22 and engages a ramped surface 36 of the lower housing 18 upon reaching an aligned position. In the aligned position, the chamber 16 is aligned with an inlet 26. The locking tab 44 bends upwardly responsive to engaging the ramped surface 36 until dropping into retention groove 38. The locking tab 44 locks the disk 22 into the aligned position with the chamber 16 aligned with the inlet 26.

Referring now also to FIG. 7, the button 21 includes a guide member 58 that extends into the guide groove 32. The guide member 58 is disposed within the locking groove 34 when in a locked position to prevent rotation of the upper housing 20. Depressing the button 21 moves the guide member 58 radially inward and into the guide groove 32. The upper housing 20 is then free to rotate. The guide arm 42 of the disk 22 includes a slot 45 into which the guide member 58 is received. Accordingly, movement of the upper housing 20 is transferred to the disk 22 through the button 21. Depressing the button 21 frees the guide member from the locking groove 34, and allows rotation of the upper housing 20 and disk 22 relative to the lower housing 18.

Referring now also to FIG. 5, the disk 22 includes a seal 48 surrounding the chamber 16. The seal 48 is disposed between the disk 22 and a surface 30 of the lower housing 18. The snap groove 24 holds the disk 22 in place such that pressure is applied to the seal 48 to prevent migration of material within the chamber 16. The seal 48 slides along the surface 30 during rotation of the disk 22 and maintains the desired seal.

The chamber 16 is a spherical cavity having the opening 17. The size of the chamber 16 is determined to provide a desired storage capacity required for a desired mixture. The volume of the chamber 16 substantially coincides with the amount of material required to provide the desired concentration of the final mixed beverage. The volume of the chamber 16 is not necessarily equal to the quantity of component for mixing. As appreciated, a larger chamber 16 can provide storage for lesser amounts of component for mixing as is desired. Further, although a semispherical shape is shown in the example, other shapes that provide the desired storage capacity are also within the contemplation of this invention. Further, multiple chambers 16 (FIG. 4B) may be utilized to store different component mixtures or increase the capacity for storing one component mixture.

Referring now also to FIG. 6, an underside of the spout 15 is shown and includes a first annular seal 52 and a second elongated oval shaped seal 54. The spout 15 slides within a slot 68 (FIG. 2) of the upper housing 20. The outlet tube 64 includes a first end in communication with the contents of the container 12 and a second end terminating at the spout 15. The spout 15 seals against spilling of the contents in both the open and closed positions. In the closed positions, the outlet tube 64 is covered by the spout 15 and the seal 54. In the open position, an opening 50 of the spout 15 is aligned with the outlet tube 64 to allow consumption of the contents of the container. The spout 56 includes a mouthpiece portion 56 adapted to direct the contents of the container 12.

The spout 15 includes a ridge portion 55 that corresponds to a ridge 25 about a circumference of the upper housing 20. When the spout 15 is in a closed position the ridge 55 conforms to the ridge 25 to provide a desired continuous and desirable appearance.

Referring to FIG. 8, the chamber 16 stores a component such as a powder or a liquid. As appreciated, the composition of the powder or liquid can include mixtures to enhance taste or add valuable nutrients. The container 12 stores a liquid such as for example water. Further, other liquids may also be stored that correspond with the component stored within the chamber 16. The specific contents of the chamber 16 and the container 12 are combined to provide a desired mixture that benefits both nutritionally and preferentially from being consumed upon mixing.

In use, the container is filled with a liquid and the chamber 16 filled with a powder or other mixture for mixing with the liquid. Other mixtures can include liquids, gels, crystals or forms as known in the art. The chamber 16 is placed in the storage position. The storage position comprises a position that is not aligned with the inlet 26. In this position, the contents of the chamber 16 are isolated from liquid within the container 12. The beverage container 10 is shipped to a destination for purchase by a consumer.

A consumer can drink from the container by sliding the spout 15 toward a center position to align the opening 50 with the outlet tube 64. The contents of the chamber 16 need not be dispensed to allow access to liquid within the container 12. As appreciated, a consumer may prefer to drink the liquid within the container 12. When it is desired to mix the component stored within the chamber 16 with the liquid within the container 12, the button 21 is depressed. Depressing the button 21 moves the guide member 58 from the locking groove 34 (FIG. 3) to permit rotation of the upper housing 20. The button 21 includes a biasing arm 60 that engages a ramped surface 70 of the upper housing 20. The corresponding engagement biases the button 21 radially outward such that release of the button 21 drives the button 21 back toward the locked position.

Rotation of the upper housing 20 results in a concurrent rotation of the disk 22. The guide member 58 rotates to an end 35 of the guide groove 32. Once the guide member 58 is free of the locking groove 34, the button 21 need not be held. As the end 35 is reached, the biasing arm 60 will drive the button 21, and thereby the guide member 58 into the locking groove 34. The end of the guide groove 32 coincides with alignment of the chamber 16 with the inlet 26. The contents of the chamber 16 are then free to fall into the container 12. The contents of the chamber 16 and container are then mixed for consumption. The spout 15 may slide as indicated by arrows to 66 to access the liquid, or to close the container 10 for later consumption.

The beverage container 10 of this invention provides for the isolation and subsequent mixing of two components of a beverage. The components may include many different mixtures such as a sports drink where beneficial nutrients are added to water. Further, other uses are within the contemplation of this invention such for storing and mixing an infant's formula, or adding a component providing a desirable taste or color change for aesthetic reasons. Further, the number of chambers 16 may be increased to add additional components for mixing.

Although a preferred embodiment of this invention has been disclosed, a worker of ordinary skill in this art would recognize that certain modifications would come within the scope of this invention. For that reason, the following claims should be studied to determine the true scope and content of this invention. 

1. A beverage container assembly comprising: a container for holding a liquid; and a lid assembly including a chamber movable from a closed position for separating a substance from the liquid within said container, and a released position where the substance within said chamber is combinable with liquid within said container.
 2. The assembly as recited in claim 1 wherein said lid assembly comprises a lower housing attachable to said container, an upper housing attached to said lower housing, said upper housing selectively rotatable relative to said lower housing for moving said chamber between said closed position and said released position.
 3. The assembly as recited in claim 2 wherein said lid assembly includes a disk assembled to said lower housing, said disk rotatable relative to said lower housing with said upper housing.
 4. The assembly as recited in claim 3, wherein said disk defines said chamber.
 5. The assembly as recited in claim 3, wherein said lower housing includes a snap groove for holding said disk.
 6. The assembly as recited in claim 5, wherein said lower housing includes an inlet opening into said container.
 7. The assembly as recited in claim 6, wherein said lower housing includes a seal surface, and said disk includes a seal surrounding said chamber.
 8. The assembly as recited in claim 6, wherein said disk is rotatable relative to said lower housing for aligning said chamber with said inlet opening.
 9. The assembly as recited in claim 8, wherein said chamber comprises a plurality of chambers disposed within said disk, wherein each of said chambers are alignable with said inlet opening.
 10. The assembly as recited in claim 6, wherein said lower housing includes a guide groove and said disk includes a tab disposed within said guide groove.
 11. The assembly as recited in claim 10, including a button disposed within said upper housing, said button including an arm movable within said groove.
 12. The assembly as recited in claim 10, wherein said button is movable between a locked position preventing rotation of said upper housing and an unlocked position allowing rotation of said upper housing.
 13. The assembly as recited in claim 10, wherein said button includes a biasing member corresponding to said upper housing for biasing said button toward said locked position.
 14. The assembly as recited in claim 2, wherein said upper housing includes an outlet tube received within an outlet opening of said lower housing.
 15. The assembly as recited in claim 14, wherein said outlet tube snap-fits within said outlet opening.
 16. The assembly as recited in claim 14, including a spout movable between a closed position sealing said outlet tube and an open position.
 17. The assembly as recited in claim 16, wherein said spout slides within said upper housing between said closed and open positions.
 18. A lid assembly for a beverage container comprising: a lower housing attachable to a beverage container, said lower housing including an outlet and an inlet; an upper housing attachable to said lower housing and rotatable relative to said lower housing, said upper housing including an outlet tube corresponding to said outlet of said lower housing; and a disk mounted to said lower housing and rotatable with said upper housing, said disk including a chamber selectively alignable with said inlet of said lower housing, said chamber providing for storage of ingredients mixable with liquid stored within the container for mixing with said liquid by a consumer of a beverage.
 19. The assembly as recited in claim 18, wherein said upper housing and said disk rotate about an axis and said outlet and said chamber are spaced apart from said axis such that said chamber rotates about said axis and into alignment with said inlet.
 20. The assembly as recited in claim 18, including a seal for sealing between said disk and said lower housing about a periphery of said chamber.
 21. The assembly as recited in claim 20 wherein said upper housing includes a button movable between a released position allowing rotation of said upper housing relative to said lower housing and a locked position preventing rotation of said upper housing relative to said lower housing.
 22. The assembly as recited in claim 21, wherein said button includes a biasing member cooperating with a sloped surface of said upper housing for biasing said button toward said locked position.
 23. The assembly as recited in claim 22, wherein said disk includes a locking tab for locking said disk in a position where said chamber is aligned with said inlet.
 24. A method of storing and preparing a beverage having two component parts, said method comprising the steps of: a) storing a first component part within a container; b) storing a second component part within a lid attachable to said container and separated from said first component part; and c) releasing said second component part form said lid into said container and into said first component part.
 25. The method as recited in claim 24 wherein said step b) comprises storing the second component part with a chamber defined within said lid assembly.
 26. The method as recited in claim 25 wherein said step c) comprises aligning said chamber with an inlet of said lid.
 27. The method as recited in claim 24 including mixing said first component with said second component. 